Agave deserti var. simplex
Simple desert agave, Simple Desert Agave
(c) Marshal Hedin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Agavaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Agave deserti var. simplex (Simple desert agave) is a native California shrub in the Agavaceae family, recognized by clear morphological differences from parent species.
Simple desert agave is a California native shrub found in the San Bernardino Mountains in desert scrub on sandy to rocky slopes at elevations of 300 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces pale green flowers in funnel-shaped perianth tubes 5 to 10 millimeters long. Growing in a single robust rosette with leaves 25 to 60 centimeters long, it forms a distinctive desert succulent. Its leaves are approximately green, thick and fleshy, emerging in a symmetrical circular arrangement characteristic of agave species. The plant's compact rosette structure and adaptations to arid environments make it well-suited to harsh desert conditions.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; clear morphological differences from parent species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy to rocky slopes, washes in desert scrub
Elevation: 300-1500 m
Outside California: Arizona, Sonora
Bloom period
Agave deserti var. simplex blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Aloe: Agave leaves spread from central rosette without a trunk; Aloe typically has a visible stem with leaves spiraling along it.; vs Yucca: Agave has yellow-green flowers with inferior ovary; Yucca has white flowers with superior ovary.; vs Hesperoyucca: Agave has yellow-green flowers with inferior ovary; Hesperoyucca has white flowers with superior ovary.; vs Phormium: Agave has thick succulent leaves with marginal spines; Phormium has thin fibrous strap-like leaves without spines.; vs Dudleya: Agave forms large rosettes with rigid sword-like leaves; Dudleya has smaller rosettes with soft paddle-shaped leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Agave deserti var. simplex native to California?
Yes. Agave deserti var. simplex is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Agave deserti var. simplex bloom?
Agave deserti var. simplex blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Agave deserti var. simplex belong to?
Agave deserti var. simplex is in the Agavaceae family, genus Agave.
What habitat does Agave deserti var. simplex grow in?
Agave deserti var. simplex grows in Sandy to rocky slopes, washes in desert scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.